Thank you for sharing. As an ex Kiwi Resident, who has an avid interest in rail travel, I have to agree that NZ does offer some spectacular scenery. However the rail ticket prices are over the top, and its no longer a public service per se, but a tourist train as others have mentioned. My real gripe is that when I first travelled this route in 1996 there were 14 trains a week from Auckland to Wellington, now in 2023 only 3 trains a week. For all of the supposedly green kiwi credentials this is not good and is in real terms going backwards compared to the rest of the progressive rail world. So many countries investing in new lines, routes and stations, even in the Middle East in Saudi to the reopening of part of the Waverly route in Edinburgh. The rest of the World moves on with rail infrastructure projects but regretably not New Zealand. On a different note wonderful to see the Kapti Coast and my old home areas around Plimmerton and Porirua. Great presentation thank you.
Thank you! Good points … and it’s not a question or either / or, there should be both. Regular, affordable services for locals and more premium services aimed at tourists. I agree wholeheartedly that rail has so much potential … same in my country, Australia, where we should be investing in high quality passenger trains. Cheers!
Bang on criticism mate. I'm a kiwi native and agree whole heartedly with this sentiment, after riding trains overseas it's very clear we have a long way to go with public transport.
Hi Adam 👋, you have outdone yourself with this amazing presentation. I have cruised NZ 3 times from Australia and loved every minute. I think I need to experience this journey while I am able and think the $200 is well worth it for the breathtaking scenery. I do wonder why New Zealanders are so anxious to move to Australia when they already live in Paradise. I do look forward to your next journey across the straight. I also hope you continue your journey through the South Island. Thanks again for this wonderful and educational presentation.
Hi John. Thank you so much! It took a lot of work but I think it was worth it. I had high expectations for New Zealand ... and even with those, the country's beauty blew me away. Yes, I made it to the South Island too. I loved it so much I hope to return. :)
WoW! Another great video of NZ railways. Until I watched these, I hadn't really rated NZ as a railway journey destination. But that's all changed. I am going to watch all the others you have posted in this series. I think a trip over the ditch is on the cards for me.
Stoked to see you cover such a good line! I agree with other NZers that I wish there were a cheaper option for locals that was less tourist oriented, but I did ride this line 10 years ago to National Park and loved it!
Absolutely fascinating and beautiful scenery. Videos are so well done. New Zealand ranks at the top of my bucket list to visit now with a ride on this marvelous rail line. Thank so much.
In the old days; the predecessor of this service (the Overlander) used to stop at all the stations like Marton, Waiouru, Taumaranui, etc and it used to be hauled by the EF's between Palmerston North & Te Rapa, and it used to do the trip in 1 or 2 less hours than now and the prices were definitely cheaper than flying. I think the open air car used to be the smokers car LOL. However; the carriages used were the old 56ft carriages from the 1940's, with claustrophobic toilets, small windows and really old fashioned spring seating. There was just the one big window carriage at the back. The food options weren't great either, mostly pies.
One of the most beautiful countries I've ever visited. I enjoyed it so much I went back 18 months later. Hideous length flights from the UK tho! My trips were a long time before Adam's great video, trains were a lot older! The open air cars are fantastic. Scenery just spectalur
Hi Adam... Well dad and I just just enjoyed watching yet another brilliant video thanks to you.. We had never really seen much of New Zealand's scenery but boy did this satisfy our curiosity... Great choice of music as always to accompany the journey with much info and maps that you generously include throughout the entire video.. And for this we thankyou for all that you do upon your travels... See you on your next one...💚
Great video. Brings back memories of this train. Do remember getting the train twice from Auckland to Wellington. While I was living in Auckland and a kid as well
A well informed documentary. I've travelled this line a few times with different Railway Enthusiast groups. I'm still impressed with the scenery each time. Good homework on the Harrods incident, most of the country got behind it. I believe that since the trip was booked out in advance, more food should've been stored. I always look forward to my next trip on the explorer.
Thanks so much! Yes, the scenery is great … I’d be interested to do it again, perhaps northbound. Yes, it was a little surprising they ran out of food given they knew the train would be full. 🤔
Awesome video. As you can tell by my channel name I am from The King County which you touched on in the video. My Great grand father was one of the Chiefs who approved the survey. I’m from Kakahi where the rails go behind my house and I’d swim in the Whakapapa river daily @ 16:51. I live in Auckland now 😢 but go home regularly.
Have never used this service during the day. Definitely inspired to do a day trip next time I travel from Wellington to Hamilton. Another first class video, many thanks for showing this kiwi parts of NZ I've not yet seen!
I'm a Kiwi born from Auckland, it's great to know that I can bring my Australia husband over to see were I was born and raised for 21 years, I left my home land when I was 21 years old, I have lived in Australia now for 33 years even had my two children in Australia. This is wonderful to see and knowing that the train runs 3 days a week ❤ so there is at least somewere to stay overnight and then a train back to Auckland. But was wondering if there are tours along the way to be able to see the glow worm caves haven't seen them since I was a wee little girl. Just beautiful seen all this beautiful scenery that I haven't seen any years, and now I get to bring my Australian husband to see it all again with me. New Zealand is a beautiful place beautiful scenery and also beautiful fresh air of course outside of the city areas😊
Yes, they do offer tours with stops along the route. See the options here: www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/holiday-search/?style=&duration=&origin=1
Thank you for sharing the beauty of New Zealand and the journey with us.I feel like I have been on holiday to NZ through watching this!Great commentary.
Hello Adam I live in Aus now from NZ and before I moved to Aus train trips was pretty exciting and a regular occurrence growing up as a kid in NZ whether it was travelling between suburbs to Wellington and back or going to Auckland and Wellington and vice versa ! So I stumbled on your TH-cam channel and enjoy watching you enjoy showing people your journey through NZ travelling by train good stuff 👍
Hi Adam. Beautiful scenic journey that's for sure. I did have a giggle at your "healthy" lunch 🤣..... Ah, but isn't that what holidays are for. ? I am sure the crew were a tad embarrassed at running out of food ! The ferry video should be cool to watch . I only did it once....and that was way back in the '70's. !!!
Thank you! Haha. True! Although I was keen to try one of their hot meal options, which sounded quite good. 😋 The scenery from the ferry is also spectacular. 😍
Another great video of yours! Thanks for showing us places we may never visit. You should come over to Norway someday and document some of the absolutely spectacular rail journeys here. Greetings from Norway
Hey Adam. We did this trip in 2019. Just loved it. What a magic day. Great scenery. We stayed nearby for an early start and walked in the rain to the station. Very basic facilities at the Strand but the trip was amazing. We had more rain on arrival in Wellington.
I've done this trip and it's bloody awesome. If you want to explore the North Island, this is the way to go. I've also done the Picton to Christchurch route also. The only best part of this route is traveling through the Kaikoura coast, but the best train ride that beats both North and South Islands is the train trip from Christchurch to Greymouth. One of the most picturque trip you will ever experience.
I remember as a kid doing this trip south, doing the spiral was always a huge buzz coz being in the rear carriages you got to see the steam from the engine up front turning the bends ... just a nice mem from my childhood.
that was great fun, thanks. i was an assistant guard for 2 years on what we called the ratler , when i was 17,im now 67,lol. so it was a while ago. we used to run every night , using up to 17 cars, mind you we had the 5 nz post cars attached too. really enjoyed my time with nzr.
Yes Adam this is one of the "best " travel video's I have watched !!! :):):) You has got me really excited because I will be riding this train in April of 2024... Can't wait !!! :):):) Thank you for sharing this with all of us...
I went on this when I was 10 years old in 2004/2005, it was known as the tranz scenic overlander back then and the carriages were much older. So cool to see the journey again, I remember it so well! Always wanted to do it again, the service almost got scrapped in 2006 but the government of the day saved it. The train departed and arrived at Britomart station back then; when all trains in Auckland were still diesel.
That’s interesting to know - thanks for sharing. Glad my video could bring back memories. Yeah, it would be great if the Northern Explorer could still operate from Britomart. Very glad they didn’t scrap it! Cheers!
A little bit of trivia: The Train used to be called the Overlander and during that era, the train was diesel hauled from Britomart to Hamilton where a change of logo occurred to an EF class electric loco which took the train to Palmerston North and yet another loco change back to diesel. It was only within the last few years that the train used the Strand instead of Britomart. I have been on the Overlander once and the Northern Explorer once as well.
I suspect it varied depending on the equipment/staff available. I've done the Overlander twice in the days they operated it daily (with a crew change at National Park rather than the crew overnighting at Wellington as seems to the case now) and both times it was diesel hauled all the way through. Would have been between 2005-2015.
Well this was very interesting for me for a few reasons. I was born in NZ in mid 1950s (left NZ with my family in mid 1960s) and my family and I traveled regularly on what was then the NZR (New Zealand Railways). We loved trains and it was always an adventure for us. Boy, trains have changed a lot since then. They were pretty rudimentary in those days and one had to buy one's food and drink in the station and carry it onto the train. The food was served on or in thick china labeled NZR. You left your dishes for NZR to clean up. The trip was much more clackety clack, and swaying (which we loved), and walking between cars one could see the tracks between the moving joins. The join was also not closed in on the sides, but did have chains across the gaps. And the washrooms...well. When you flushed, the toilet simply opened at the bottom and you could see the tracks whizzing past. We were not supposed to flush while in the stations. When I was about 12 we moved to Canada and took the train from Vancouver to Toronto (3 day trip). An adventure of a completely different kind for me and my siblings. Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed it.
Nice video and epic views! New Zealand and Australia are on my bucket list .. I still regret not taking at least a short trip there when I was moving around Singapore for 10 days in 2018. Greetings from Central Europe :-)
Love it! Great video. Brings back memories of making the same journey in 2001 when backpacking - back when Strand station was still Auckland station! Thanks!
@@FromtheWindowSeat I was up in the wee hours watching the IP travel vid. Got sleepy and had to shut down about 1/2 way. Will try to finish sometime today.
Great video. I did a return trip from Auckland to Palmerston North when I was a student at Uni of Auckland that was in 1990. The ticket price was more affordable then and the service is daily. Anyways is good memories of scenic NZ which always have a special place in my heart.
Fantastic journey (and video). I've never been outside Europe and certainly never considered flying half-way round the world! But this has got me interested in NZ. I don't have a bucket list, but if I did, this would now definitely be on it! Many thanks.
Love these videos very informative thank you! I’m from NZ and have just returned from Japan where they have an amazing train transportation system. Hope one day NZ increases train transportation for public transport as well as tourism. Love all the beautiful scenery and your commentary hope to do this trip one day!:)
Another well presented video from your travels. I've done the journey several times in both directions on past trips across the ditch, but haven't experienced it in these quite comfortable looking carriages. The open air car was on this and the TranzAlpine trains on my last visit back in 2007. Thanks for revitalising my memories of the scenery and local hospitality, If I do the trip again southbound, I'll be sure to purchase my lunch shortly after leaving Hamilton so I don't get caught out like you did. Cheers and thanks again. I look forward to your coverage of the InterIslander Ferry and other Kiwi Train Trips,😀😀😀
Thanks so much! Yes, good idea re lunch. Interesting that Great Journeys NZ are reintroducing Scenic Plus on the TranzAlpine route. Might have to return one day to check that out too … at least you don’t have to worry about running out of food when it’s all included. 😆
In Poland we have the best loop on lane from Tarnów to Nowy Sącz, Małopolskie region. Its Grybower Loop (Pętla Grybowska). Enjoy onboard some old rolling stock, like EN57, or compartment TLK trainset with openning windows.
Thank you so much for your video my 8yr old son and I enjoyed your video we watched all your videos my 8 year old loves listening to the history of the places and the trains he learnt so much so thank you so much for your time and keep the video going I must say my son watching your video is much better then Minecraft 🙂🙂
I love the history that he narrates his videos with. I also love how the videos are focused on the journey and not the presenter! I have loads of his videos to catch up on.
Thank you very much for sharing your training experiences with people. The information in details you offered in the video is very helpful. Thank you again.
I’m a new subscriber and this is the second video I’ve seen on this channel. This tour of North Island was amazing and the open observation car would have been my favorite post as well, no matter the weather. I’m so impressed by the production quality of the videos and enjoyed the commentary which showed extensive research. It’s a lot of work. So thank you so much Adam, your hard work is very appreciated.
Hi David. Thank you so much! It’s lovely to receive comments like this. So encouraging. I really enjoyed this trip (and making this video) so glad it shows. 🥰 I wish we had open air observation cars like this in Australia.
Well done Adam, Another great review, it's a pity the Coffee machine wasn't working. Having done the journey from Frankton to Wellington twice I agree with your comments that it's a Scenic Railway and not the fastest Train. Your information about the Viaducts, Rivers and other highlights were very useful. I hope this video inspires more Kiwis to explore their Country in a relaxing and comfortable way.
Thank you so much! Yes, pity about the coffee and running out of lunch items, but it was an otherwise excellent journey. The scenery took my breath away. Cheers!
Hi Adam, excellent video. Thanks for sharing. My wife and I did this trip way back in October1979, though not on the Northern Explorer. We believed at the time that it was the Silver Fern Railcar, though that may not be accurate. It was a train that had replaced the Silver Star, which apparently ceased running in June 1979. We actually did the trip both ways at the time. All the best from Rob in Melbourne Australia.
ADAM ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR VIDEO IS YOU SHOW A LOT OF SCENERY ONE THING I WAS AMAZED AT WAS I SAW VERY FEW SHEEP AND A LOT OF COWS KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK I AM A AUSSIE GRAHAM LIVING IN THAILAND
First time viewer of your channel. Excellent video, great job. I learned a lot, and it would be worth watching again. Looking forward to the next video.
Ngā mihi!! Great video. I grew up on the railway, both of my parents worked on the railway based in Taumarunui. I was lucky to ride on the then Silver Fern Railcar with the crew from Taumarunui to the crew change in National Park all the time which inspired my now career as a flight attendant lol. Some of the words you used to describe the spiral reminded me of the old day commentary, said live by the crew back in the day lol. Awesome mahi e hoa ❤
Nga mihi Adam, ka pai to mahi (great work) ❤ love your vids and commentary they're always very informative. I've watched most of your Aussie Train trips and a couple of those (The Ghan and Great Southern) are now on my bucket list. Awesome work mate 👍👍
WOW IM ALSO A TRAVELER N EXPLORER FROM PAKISTAN HAVING PROPERTIES HERE OF FAMILY N SETTLED , I LIKE TRAVELLING, VISITING DIFFERENT CULTURES N COUNTRIES THANKS FOR AMAZING VIDEO KEEP IT UP
THANK YOU for putting up a really decent video of this ride...We will be doing a trip in November from the Waikato and i tried to watch videos on it but no one has a good video of their journey. Thank you for the history lesson where as alot of Kiwi do not know of (including myself) I hoped you enjoyed your journey as sure will be as well. Nāu Mai Haere Mai.
Tēnā koe. Really glad to hear you found it useful. Hope my Māori pronunciations weren’t too distracting (I tried to get them right but I know some were a bit off). It was a fabulous journey and I will certainly be back. 😊
You have to remember in Australia many towns also have indigenous names so for us the idea of pronunciation of things like that albeit a different language is more instinctive (imo) than Europeans coming here.
@@FromtheWindowSeat I was about to say. The way you pronounced around half of the māori words was spot on. Several other words you were very close to getting right. Thanks for making the effort. It's appreciated.
@@DWtrainsNZ Thank you! Adding to the complexity was that even some Kiwis pronounced certain names differently on TH-cam videos, so I had to choose one over another (obviously favouring Māori pronunciations over those by Pākehā but it wasn’t always possible to find Māori pronunciations). 🤔
Congratulations Adam, I’m your new fan. I like your documentaries, not a single dull moment. VIdeography and content is really good. I’m a new subscriber from the Philippines.
more info about the DF serries, (DFT - Turbo not roots style supercharger like on the DX.... DFB class locomotives are a standard DFT fitted with the BrightStar wheel slip control system and a fire suppression system for passenger service) DF are a rebuild of a DC and are longer, also to mention about Tangiwai and the lahar from mount ruapehu, the queen was here in new zealand at the time the EF locomotives pulling the Two DL diesel locos will be a twin power twin banker, the DL engines will remain off and only electricity will be applied to the traction motors adding to the EFs for about 12,000KW of tractive effort, but when the power lines stop, they start the DLs swap them about in the shunt yard and then the EFs become the banking power
Thank you for this great video. My (great-great-great) Uncle Charlie worked on the Main Trunk Line, including building the Raurimu Spiral. I've only been over it a couple of times, sadly at night. The day-time trip is on my bucket list! I thought your pronunciation of place names was pretty good; very brave of you to give it a go. Kia ora, e hoa, and I'm looking forward to the ferry trip and South Island rail videos. Please say you did the Kingston Flyer!
@@danieleyre8913 It’s on my bucket list. One challenge is they don’t schedule trains very far in advance … which makes it hard to plan a trip from Australia. 🤔
Hi Adam This is a highly professional and entertaining program. In fact of all the train You Tubers I watch I reckon that u produce the best programs. Looking forward to more of your work.
I enjoyed this trip! I think fare is good for whole day. I’ve never seen this part of NZ. Did a road trip in 1989. Have been to South is again in 2014 and intend to see what I’ve not seen yet in the near future.
A very well put together video, you have excelled in doing this, Maori pronounciation is not easy but you did quite well, nah, very well, there's something about New Zealand's North Island Main Trunk Railway and that you got the chance to experience it, thankyou for posting.
So glad to hear that. I know some of my vowels aren’t right (I blame my Australian accent) but I certainly tried. It’s a wonderful journey. Would like to try it northbound one day.
![[MV] A leap of faith...ความเชื่อใจครั้งสุดท้าย (From "Petrichor the series")](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U1piZH2CNXA/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for sharing. As an ex Kiwi Resident, who has an avid interest in rail travel, I have to agree that NZ does offer some spectacular scenery. However the rail ticket prices are over the top, and its no longer a public service per se, but a tourist train as others have mentioned. My real gripe is that when I first travelled this route in 1996 there were 14 trains a week from Auckland to Wellington, now in 2023 only 3 trains a week. For all of the supposedly green kiwi credentials this is not good and is in real terms going backwards compared to the rest of the progressive rail world. So many countries investing in new lines, routes and stations, even in the Middle East in Saudi to the reopening of part of the Waverly route in Edinburgh. The rest of the World moves on with rail infrastructure projects but regretably not New Zealand. On a different note wonderful to see the Kapti Coast and my old home areas around Plimmerton and Porirua. Great presentation thank you.
Thank you! Good points … and it’s not a question or either / or, there should be both. Regular, affordable services for locals and more premium services aimed at tourists. I agree wholeheartedly that rail has so much potential … same in my country, Australia, where we should be investing in high quality passenger trains. Cheers!
Bang on criticism mate. I'm a kiwi native and agree whole heartedly with this sentiment, after riding trains overseas it's very clear we have a long way to go with public transport.
With a population of 5.1m people it's not feasible to fund everything especially when rail is a distant 4th option.
You have a natural talent for making professional standard documentaries, the visual effects are really good.
Thanks so much!
Hi Adam 👋, you have outdone yourself with this amazing presentation. I have cruised NZ 3 times from Australia and loved every minute. I think I need to experience this journey while I am able and think the $200 is well worth it for the breathtaking scenery. I do wonder why New Zealanders are so anxious to move to Australia when they already live in Paradise. I do look forward to your next journey across the straight. I also hope you continue your journey through the South Island. Thanks again for this wonderful and educational presentation.
Hi John. Thank you so much! It took a lot of work but I think it was worth it. I had high expectations for New Zealand ... and even with those, the country's beauty blew me away. Yes, I made it to the South Island too. I loved it so much I hope to return. :)
@From the Window Seat You're very welcome, Adam and I am waiting patiently for more NZ footage.
They move because salaries are garbage in New Zealand compared to Australia. Scenery doesn't pay the bills.
@Fishfingers232 Thanks for your reply, and yes, that would definitely be a reason to move to Australia.
Nice place with beautiful scenery..God bless
WoW! Another great video of NZ railways. Until I watched these, I hadn't really rated NZ as a railway journey destination. But that's all changed. I am going to watch all the others you have posted in this series. I think a trip over the ditch is on the cards for me.
I’m really glad to hear that. Enjoy!
What like this type in journey is that it was during the day time given us the chance to see the country.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Stoked to see you cover such a good line! I agree with other NZers that I wish there were a cheaper option for locals that was less tourist oriented, but I did ride this line 10 years ago to National Park and loved it!
Good call!
Absolutely fascinating and beautiful scenery. Videos are so well done. New Zealand ranks at the top of my bucket list to visit now with a ride on this marvelous rail line. Thank so much.
So glad to hear that. Thank you!
Later this year I will be visiting New Zealand for the second time .
I feel tempted to travel by this train to Wellington where my son resides .
Thanks. Was waiting for this one. Would love to check out some NZ golden arches from that viewing car.
Cheers! Ha - yes, what a combination. ;)
Another beautifully produced and well researched film, Adam. I must make that trip of a lifetime from the UK to Australia and New Zealand
Thaniks so much! 😊
Watching NZ train vlogs for the first time. Appreciate sharing even the minor details on this scenic route
Great to hear the details are appreciated. Thank you!
What a lovely journey! So well filmed and edited, a Sunday highlight for me! Thank you xx
Thank you so much!
In the old days; the predecessor of this service (the Overlander) used to stop at all the stations like Marton, Waiouru, Taumaranui, etc and it used to be hauled by the EF's between Palmerston North & Te Rapa, and it used to do the trip in 1 or 2 less hours than now and the prices were definitely cheaper than flying. I think the open air car used to be the smokers car LOL.
However; the carriages used were the old 56ft carriages from the 1940's, with claustrophobic toilets, small windows and really old fashioned spring seating. There was just the one big window carriage at the back. The food options weren't great either, mostly pies.
Yes, I’ve heard about The Overlander. Interesting to hear those details. Would have been quite an experience. 🤔
Excellent and the most interesting trip report. Very detailed information. Bravo. Best regards from Tel Aviv.
Glad you liked it. Thank you!
One of the most beautiful countries I've ever visited. I enjoyed it so much I went back 18 months later. Hideous length flights from the UK tho! My trips were a long time before Adam's great video, trains were a lot older! The open air cars are fantastic. Scenery just spectalur
It certainly is a stunning place! Glad you enjoyed the video. 😊
Hi Adam... Well dad and I just just enjoyed watching yet another brilliant video thanks to you..
We had never really seen much of New Zealand's scenery but boy did this satisfy our curiosity...
Great choice of music as always to accompany the journey with much info and maps that you generously include throughout the entire video..
And for this we thankyou for all that you do upon your travels...
See you on your next one...💚
Hi Corinne. Lovely to hear that you and your dad enjoyed it and appreciated the maps, music and info. Thank you!
Great video. Brings back memories of this train. Do remember getting the train twice from Auckland to Wellington. While I was living in Auckland and a kid as well
Awesome. Wonderful to hear. Cheers!
A well informed documentary. I've travelled this line a few times with different Railway Enthusiast groups. I'm still impressed with the scenery each time.
Good homework on the Harrods incident, most of the country got behind it.
I believe that since the trip was booked out in advance, more food should've been stored. I always look forward to my next trip on the explorer.
Thanks so much! Yes, the scenery is great … I’d be interested to do it again, perhaps northbound. Yes, it was a little surprising they ran out of food given they knew the train would be full. 🤔
Awesome video. As you can tell by my channel name I am from The King County which you touched on in the video. My Great grand father was one of the Chiefs who approved the survey. I’m from Kakahi where the rails go behind my house and I’d swim in the Whakapapa river daily @ 16:51. I live in Auckland now 😢 but go home regularly.
Kia ora! Thank you. That’s incredible to hear. What a wonderful legacy. Glad to hear you get to return home regularly. ☺️
I lived in Taumauranui for a while + Auckland Orewa Christchurch Rangiora Nelson + Picton
@@nevkrisjackson8065 nice, I currently live in Orewa 😊
Have never used this service during the day. Definitely inspired to do a day trip next time I travel from Wellington to Hamilton.
Another first class video, many thanks for showing this kiwi parts of NZ I've not yet seen!
Wonderful to hear! You won't regret it. Cheers!
I'm a Kiwi born from Auckland, it's great to know that I can bring my Australia husband over to see were I was born and raised for 21 years, I left my home land when I was 21 years old, I have lived in Australia now for 33 years even had my two children in Australia. This is wonderful to see and knowing that the train runs 3 days a week ❤ so there is at least somewere to stay overnight and then a train back to Auckland. But was wondering if there are tours along the way to be able to see the glow worm caves haven't seen them since I was a wee little girl. Just beautiful seen all this beautiful scenery that I haven't seen any years, and now I get to bring my Australian husband to see it all again with me. New Zealand is a beautiful place beautiful scenery and also beautiful fresh air of course outside of the city areas😊
Yes, they do offer tours with stops along the route. See the options here:
www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/holiday-search/?style=&duration=&origin=1
Hi from another fellow kiwi, im from Palmerston North. But spent most of my life in western Australia. I took nz for granted so beautiful.
You deserve many more subscribers. A pro quality video, enhanced by the infographics and historical details.
Thank you - really appreciate that! 🙏
Thank you for sharing the beauty of New Zealand and the journey with us.I feel like I have been on holiday to NZ through watching this!Great commentary.
That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you!
Hello Adam I live in Aus now from NZ and before I moved to Aus train trips was pretty exciting and a regular occurrence growing up as a kid in NZ
whether it was travelling between suburbs to Wellington and back or going to Auckland and Wellington and vice versa !
So I stumbled on your TH-cam channel and enjoy watching you enjoy showing people your journey through NZ travelling by train good stuff 👍
Great to hear that. Thank you! 🙏
Loved this Adam. I may never travel that train, but I felt like I have journeyed my homeland with you.
Great to hear that Bruce. Thank you!
Hi Adam.
Beautiful scenic journey that's for sure.
I did have a giggle at your "healthy" lunch 🤣.....
Ah, but isn't that what holidays are for. ?
I am sure the crew were a tad embarrassed at running out of food !
The ferry video should be cool to watch . I only did it once....and that was way back in the '70's. !!!
Thank you! Haha. True! Although I was keen to try one of their hot meal options, which sounded quite good. 😋
The scenery from the ferry is also spectacular. 😍
Another great video of yours! Thanks for showing us places we may never visit. You should come over to Norway someday and document some of the absolutely spectacular rail journeys here. Greetings from Norway
Thank you! Yes, very keen to visit Norway!
Hey Adam. We did this trip in 2019. Just loved it. What a magic day. Great scenery. We stayed nearby for an early start and walked in the rain to the station. Very basic facilities at the Strand but the trip was amazing. We had more rain on arrival in Wellington.
Sounds wonderful! I’m keen to return to try it from south to north.
I've done this trip and it's bloody awesome. If you want to explore the North Island, this is the way to go. I've also done the Picton to Christchurch route also. The only best part of this route is traveling through the Kaikoura coast, but the best train ride that beats both North and South Islands is the train trip from Christchurch to Greymouth. One of the most picturque trip you will ever experience.
Yes, they’re all incredible journeys for different reasons. Thanks for watching!
I remember as a kid doing this trip south, doing the spiral was always a huge buzz coz being in the rear carriages you got to see the steam from the engine up front turning the bends ... just a nice mem from my childhood.
What a great memory. Thanks for sharing!
that was great fun, thanks. i was an assistant guard for 2 years on what we called the ratler , when i was 17,im now 67,lol. so it was a while ago. we used to run every night , using up to 17 cars, mind you we had the 5 nz post cars attached too. really enjoyed my time with nzr.
That sounds like it would have been a wonderful job and incredible experience. Glad you liked the video. Cheers!
Another great video as always. Thanks for taking the time to make it. and a BIG thumbs up.
Thanks so much!
Another well researched video & highly entertaining. I am not sure if you noticed, but I was waving at you @ KFC Paraparumu as you passed !!
Thank you! Ha - it's a small world! 😉
Lovely video Adam - I miss New Zealand and need to visit again - thank you 😊
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
Yes Adam this is one of the "best " travel video's I have watched !!! :):):)
You has got me really excited because I will be riding this train in April of 2024...
Can't wait !!! :):):)
Thank you for sharing this with all of us...
Very happy to hear that Harry. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did! ☺️
Love these train trips you have given to this glorious viewing of beautiful NZ.cheers
Thanks so much!
I went on this when I was 10 years old in 2004/2005, it was known as the tranz scenic overlander back then and the carriages were much older. So cool to see the journey again, I remember it so well! Always wanted to do it again, the service almost got scrapped in 2006 but the government of the day saved it. The train departed and arrived at Britomart station back then; when all trains in Auckland were still diesel.
That’s interesting to know - thanks for sharing. Glad my video could bring back memories. Yeah, it would be great if the Northern Explorer could still operate from Britomart. Very glad they didn’t scrap it! Cheers!
@@FromtheWindowSeat thank you! And cheers to you for such great content! Amazing amazing channel!
@@blakelaurie7865 🙏 ☺️
Would love to give this a go next time I'm in NZ!
You definitely should. Cheers!
A little bit of trivia: The Train used to be called the Overlander and during that era, the train was diesel hauled from Britomart to Hamilton where a change of logo occurred to an EF class electric loco which took the train to Palmerston North and yet another loco change back to diesel. It was only within the last few years that the train used the Strand instead of Britomart. I have been on the Overlander once and the Northern Explorer once as well.
Oh cool. Yes, that would have been a fun experience (and quieter with the electric loco from Hamilton to Palmerston North).
I suspect it varied depending on the equipment/staff available. I've done the Overlander twice in the days they operated it daily (with a crew change at National Park rather than the crew overnighting at Wellington as seems to the case now) and both times it was diesel hauled all the way through. Would have been between 2005-2015.
Well shot, classy editing, informative commentary - excellent production.
Thanks so much. 🙏
Such a beautiful land. Thank you for sharing your amazing videos👍✌️
Glad you liked it. Yes, the country is stunning. 😍
Well this was very interesting for me for a few reasons. I was born in NZ in mid 1950s (left NZ with my family in mid 1960s) and my family and I traveled regularly on what was then the NZR (New Zealand Railways). We loved trains and it was always an adventure for us. Boy, trains have changed a lot since then. They were pretty rudimentary in those days and one had to buy one's food and drink in the station and carry it onto the train. The food was served on or in thick china labeled NZR. You left your dishes for NZR to clean up. The trip was much more clackety clack, and swaying (which we loved), and walking between cars one could see the tracks between the moving joins. The join was also not closed in on the sides, but did have chains across the gaps. And the washrooms...well. When you flushed, the toilet simply opened at the bottom and you could see the tracks whizzing past. We were not supposed to flush while in the stations. When I was about 12 we moved to Canada and took the train from Vancouver to Toronto (3 day trip). An adventure of a completely different kind for me and my siblings. Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed it.
Wow … sounds like a real adventure on the train back then. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching! 😃
Nice video and epic views! New Zealand and Australia are on my bucket list .. I still regret not taking at least a short trip there when I was moving around Singapore for 10 days in 2018. Greetings from Central Europe :-)
Hey Pete. Thank you! Yes, you definitely need to make it Down Under some time. You won’t regret it. I’m hoping to visit Europe in 2024. 🤞
Love it! Great video. Brings back memories of making the same journey in 2001 when backpacking - back when Strand station was still Auckland station! Thanks!
Thank you! Ah, memories. This was my first trip to New Zealand … but one thing’s for certain … I’ll definitely be back. 😊
Thanks for taking us along! BEAUTIFUL SCNERY!
Thank you!
@@FromtheWindowSeat I was up in the wee hours watching the IP travel vid. Got sleepy and had to shut down about 1/2 way. Will try to finish sometime today.
Great video. I did a return trip from Auckland to Palmerston North when I was a student at Uni of Auckland that was in 1990. The ticket price was more affordable then and the service is daily. Anyways is good memories of scenic NZ which always have a special place in my heart.
Thank you! Yes, it would be great for there to be a daily service.
Oh, what a beautiful country New Zealand is I would love to visit
It really is. 😍
Fantastic journey (and video). I've never been outside Europe and certainly never considered flying half-way round the world! But this has got me interested in NZ. I don't have a bucket list, but if I did, this would now definitely be on it! Many thanks.
That’s brilliant to hear. Hope you make it to NZ one day!
Excellent Presentation as usual. Hearty Greetings from Hyderabad, India 🇮🇳
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
Love these videos very informative thank you! I’m from NZ and have just returned from Japan where they have an amazing train transportation system. Hope one day NZ increases train transportation for public transport as well as tourism. Love all the beautiful scenery and your commentary hope to do this trip one day!:)
Thanks so much! Yes, I’d love to see more passenger train routes introduced in New Zealand. Wonderful country. Very excited to visit Japan myself. 😃
Another well presented video from your travels. I've done the journey several times in both directions on past trips across the ditch, but haven't experienced it in these quite comfortable looking carriages. The open air car was on this and the TranzAlpine trains on my last visit back in 2007. Thanks for revitalising my memories of the scenery and local hospitality, If I do the trip again southbound, I'll be sure to purchase my lunch shortly after leaving Hamilton so I don't get caught out like you did. Cheers and thanks again. I look forward to your coverage of the InterIslander Ferry and other Kiwi Train Trips,😀😀😀
Thanks so much! Yes, good idea re lunch. Interesting that Great Journeys NZ are reintroducing Scenic Plus on the TranzAlpine route. Might have to return one day to check that out too … at least you don’t have to worry about running out of food when it’s all included. 😆
Great Video! Well edited, looking forward to seeing the other videos on the Great Journeys of NZ! :D
Thanks so much! Yes, stay tuned (although it’s taking me a long time to edit each video … but I’ll get through them all eventually 😆).
@@FromtheWindowSeat I have a feeling it will be worth the wait.
In Poland we have the best loop on lane from Tarnów to Nowy Sącz, Małopolskie region. Its Grybower Loop (Pętla Grybowska). Enjoy onboard some old rolling stock, like EN57, or compartment TLK trainset with openning windows.
Sounds great. Will have to try it one day.
Seeing this from the UK, I absolutely loved that and the details well done.
Thank you very much!
Hey, Adam ... nice video! Very interesting, fun, informative!! Love seeing more of New Zealand. Greetings from Tucson.
Thanks so much. Love New Zealand so hope to return soon.
My hometown Te Awamutu, we spent a few trips back and forth to Ohakune where my grandparents lived. The main trunk line has been a feature I my life ❤
Wonderful. Cheers!
Great presentation of the trip. Good edding and pleasant background music. Thanks for showing.
Thank you!
Lovely to watch. I was born in Palmerston North left at age 16 to live in Australia, this makes me homesick
Thank you! Glad I could provide a taste of home. ☺️
Thank you so much for your video my 8yr old son and I enjoyed your video we watched all your videos
my 8 year old loves listening to the history of the places and the trains he learnt so much so thank you so much for your time and keep the video going
I must say my son watching your video is much better then Minecraft 🙂🙂
I love the history that he narrates his videos with. I also love how the videos are focused on the journey and not the presenter! I have loads of his videos to catch up on.
Your son will definitely benefit from these videos and hopefully inspire him to travel in years to come.
That's brilliant to hear Amanda - thank you! 😊
Thank you very much for sharing your training experiences with people. The information in details you offered in the video is very helpful. Thank you again.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you!
I would love to ride this train from Auckland to Wellington! I have never been to New Zealand but the scenery looks amazing in photos!!
Yes, highly recommended.
Okay great I was going to ask if you recommend the trip as a tourist in terms of good scenery! I will have to go one time! @@FromtheWindowSeat
I’m a new subscriber and this is the second video I’ve seen on this channel. This tour of North Island was amazing and the open observation car would have been my favorite post as well, no matter the weather.
I’m so impressed by the production quality of the videos and enjoyed the commentary which showed extensive research. It’s a lot of work. So thank you so much Adam, your hard work is very appreciated.
Hi David. Thank you so much! It’s lovely to receive comments like this. So encouraging. I really enjoyed this trip (and making this video) so glad it shows. 🥰
I wish we had open air observation cars like this in Australia.
@@FromtheWindowSeat and open cars here in the US as well! And wish the food on Amtrak was as good on the Northern Explorer!
When I did it the train left from Britomart. Loved the trip! Cheers from Aus.
Nice. Thanks!
Very informative video done with lot of efforts. Thank you very much 🙏🏼 I’ll experience when I visit New Zealand. Love from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰👍🙏🏼
Thank you! Hope you love New Zealand as much as I did. 🤩☺️
I enjoyed this so much! This could have been really brining.. but your commentary and editing really enticed me as a viewer!
So good to hear that. Thank you!
Im hooked with your video!! Thus , convinced me enough to book this train journey for my upcoming trip to NZ this coming Nov!
That’s great to hear. Enjoy!!
Great video, and I was impressed with your pronunciation of the Māori place names, etc. Better than many locals.
Thank you! I tried (but know some of my pronunciations and vowels were a bit off).
Well done Adam, Another great review, it's a pity the Coffee machine wasn't working. Having done the journey from Frankton to Wellington twice I agree with your comments that it's a Scenic Railway and not the fastest Train. Your information about the Viaducts, Rivers and other highlights were very useful. I hope this video inspires more Kiwis to explore their Country in a relaxing and comfortable way.
Thank you so much! Yes, pity about the coffee and running out of lunch items, but it was an otherwise excellent journey. The scenery took my breath away. Cheers!
@@FromtheWindowSeat FYI, The Golden Arches in Taumarunui is where my parents rented a railway house in about 1948 😉.
Hi Adam, excellent video. Thanks for sharing. My wife and I did this trip way back in October1979, though not on the Northern Explorer. We believed at the time that it was the Silver Fern Railcar, though that may not be accurate. It was a train that had replaced the Silver Star, which apparently ceased running in June 1979. We actually did the trip both ways at the time. All the best from Rob in Melbourne Australia.
Hi Rob. Thank you! Sounds like a real adventure. New Zealand certainly has a fascinating rail history.
Thanks so much for this-thinking of doing this trip later in the year and this was really useful to watch!
Great to hear. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you so much for this great journey through the North Island!! ✨️♥️✨️
Glad you enjoyed it!
ADAM ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR VIDEO IS YOU SHOW A LOT OF SCENERY ONE THING I WAS AMAZED AT WAS I SAW VERY FEW SHEEP AND A LOT OF COWS KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK I AM A AUSSIE GRAHAM LIVING IN THAILAND
Thank you Graham. Really glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!
Loved the commentary. Great filming. GREAT Job. I feel as though I was there.
Thanks so much Kurt. Great to hear that. 😊
First time viewer of your channel. Excellent video, great job. I learned a lot, and it would be worth watching again. Looking forward to the next video.
Thanks so much!
Ngā mihi!! Great video. I grew up on the railway, both of my parents worked on the railway based in Taumarunui. I was lucky to ride on the then Silver Fern Railcar with the crew from Taumarunui to the crew change in National Park all the time which inspired my now career as a flight attendant lol.
Some of the words you used to describe the spiral reminded me of the old day commentary, said live by the crew back in the day lol.
Awesome mahi e hoa ❤
Thank you so much - that's wonderful to hear! Tēnā koe!
Hey Adam!
Really enjoyed this video, a link of which I was sent from my mate in Christchurch. Keep up the great work!
That’s great to hear. Thank you!
Nga mihi Adam, ka pai to mahi (great work) ❤ love your vids and commentary they're always very informative. I've watched most of your Aussie Train trips and a couple of those (The Ghan and Great Southern) are now on my bucket list. Awesome work mate 👍👍
Tēnā koe Tony. That’s so good to hear. Hope you get to take one or more of these great railway journeys soon! ☺️
WOW IM ALSO A TRAVELER N EXPLORER FROM PAKISTAN HAVING PROPERTIES HERE OF FAMILY N SETTLED , I LIKE TRAVELLING, VISITING DIFFERENT CULTURES N COUNTRIES THANKS FOR AMAZING VIDEO KEEP IT UP
Great. Thanks!
THANK YOU for putting up a really decent video of this ride...We will be doing a trip in November from the Waikato and i tried to watch videos on it but no one has a good video of their journey. Thank you for the history lesson where as alot of Kiwi do not know of (including myself) I hoped you enjoyed your journey as sure will be as well. Nāu Mai Haere Mai.
Tēnā koe. Really glad to hear you found it useful. Hope my Māori pronunciations weren’t too distracting (I tried to get them right but I know some were a bit off). It was a fabulous journey and I will certainly be back. 😊
This is a great video, so much beautiful scenery.
Thank you! Yes, the scenery is stunning.
Your channel is excellent. Extremely comprehensive information.
Thanks Peter. Really appreciate that.
I love your videos, and good on you mate, you say Māori place names Bette than a lot of Pākehā do!
You have to remember in Australia many towns also have indigenous names so for us the idea of pronunciation of things like that albeit a different language is more instinctive (imo) than Europeans coming here.
And a lot of mispronunciation that us kiwis will laugh about and some will cringe.🙂
Thank you so much! I know some of my pronunciations weren't quite right. I found the Te Aka Māori Dictionary quite helpful.
maoridictionary.co.nz/
@@FromtheWindowSeat I was about to say. The way you pronounced around half of the māori words was spot on. Several other words you were very close to getting right.
Thanks for making the effort. It's appreciated.
@@DWtrainsNZ Thank you! Adding to the complexity was that even some Kiwis pronounced certain names differently on TH-cam videos, so I had to choose one over another (obviously favouring Māori pronunciations over those by Pākehā but it wasn’t always possible to find Māori pronunciations). 🤔
Congratulations Adam, I’m your new fan. I like your documentaries, not a single dull moment. VIdeography and content is really good. I’m a new subscriber from the Philippines.
Thank you - that’s wonderful to hear! 🙏
best train travel video i have ever watched, love your work mate
Wow - thank you! 🙏
Thank you for this video. Will be on this train from Hamilton to Paraparaumu this Saturday.
Hope you enjoy it!
more info about the DF serries, (DFT - Turbo not roots style supercharger like on the DX.... DFB class locomotives are a standard DFT fitted with the BrightStar wheel slip control system and a fire suppression system for passenger service) DF are a rebuild of a DC and are longer,
also to mention about Tangiwai and the lahar from mount ruapehu, the queen was here in new zealand at the time
the EF locomotives pulling the Two DL diesel locos will be a twin power twin banker, the DL engines will remain off and only electricity will be applied to the traction motors adding to the EFs for about 12,000KW of tractive effort, but when the power lines stop, they start the DLs swap them about in the shunt yard and then the EFs become the banking power
Great to know. Thank you for sharing all that extra detail. 👌
Your videos are very well done and you also do a very good research about the areas. Thanks a lot.
Thanks so much - I enjoy the research part of making these videos.
I wanted to travel this train back then... hopefully on my next time in NZ ..
Fingers crossed for you! Thanks for watching.
New Zealand beautiful country n lovely people
Agreed. ☺️
Thank you for this great video. My (great-great-great) Uncle Charlie worked on the Main Trunk Line, including building the Raurimu Spiral. I've only been over it a couple of times, sadly at night. The day-time trip is on my bucket list! I thought your pronunciation of place names was pretty good; very brave of you to give it a go. Kia ora, e hoa, and I'm looking forward to the ferry trip and South Island rail videos. Please say you did the Kingston Flyer!
Thank you! Oh wow - that’s an incredible legacy. Sadly, I didn’t get to do the Kingston Flyer. So I shall have to return! 😊
@@FromtheWindowSeat It would be great if you could one day make it to Dunedin and travel the Taieri Gorge railway.
@@danieleyre8913 It’s on my bucket list. One challenge is they don’t schedule trains very far in advance … which makes it hard to plan a trip from Australia. 🤔
Hi Adam This is a highly professional and entertaining program. In fact of all the train You Tubers I watch I reckon that u produce the best programs. Looking forward to more of your work.
Wow. Thank you! That’s so encouraging to hear. ☺️
I enjoyed this trip! I think fare is good for whole day. I’ve never seen this part of NZ. Did a road trip in 1989. Have been to South is again in 2014 and intend to see what I’ve not seen yet in the near future.
Happy to hear that. Thank you!
Excellent video I have travelled on the Northern Explorer and it was a wonderful trip from Hamilton to Papakura
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it too. 😃
Good technical information and maps, as well as other informative commentary
Well done!
Thanks so much! 🙏
Another lovely one! ❤
Love from a railfan based at India!
Thank you! 🙏
Absolutely awesome video here Adam, you've done a amazing train journey👍
Thank you very much!
Very nice videos! I appreciate learning about the areas you are going through.
Thank you!
Thanks dude , that was a great informative vid. I'm going to take my mum on this train.
Awesome - thanks! Enjoy!
A very well put together video, you have excelled in doing this, Maori pronounciation is not easy but you did quite well, nah, very well, there's something about New Zealand's North Island Main Trunk Railway and that you got the chance to experience it, thankyou for posting.
So glad to hear that. I know some of my vowels aren’t right (I blame my Australian accent) but I certainly tried. It’s a wonderful journey. Would like to try it northbound one day.
@FromtheWindowSeat You would enjoy the northbound trip even though you'd be doing it in reverse, it's just as spectacular
Greetings from NZ. Thank you for such an amazing content.
Greetings! Glad you liked it. Thank you!
Thank you for your excellent video, we enjoyed it very much!
Thank you!